HONG KONG: Asian shares were mostly higher Thursday with Tokyo extending its six-year high reached the previous day following a record close on Wall Street in pre-holiday trade.

The Nikkei index closed above the psychologically important 16,000 point level on Wednesday, backed by a weaker yen and US stocks reaching a new all-time high before the Christmas break.

Tokyo rose 0.91 percent by the break, Seoul was up 0.18 percent, while shares in China were down 0.96 percent.

Financial markets in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand were closed for a public holiday.

The dollar fetched 104.58 yen early Thursday compared with 104.39 yen the previous day in Tokyo. New York was closed for the Christmas holiday.

The euro bought $1.3671 and 142.97 yen against $1.3668 and 142.71 yen on Wednesday in Tokyo.

SOURCE: AFP